Census 2000 Data about Grandparent-Headed Households

By: AARP Policy & Research | Source: AARP.org | December 1, 2003

Are you a grandparent who is raising your grandchild? You are not alone. Millions of grandparents are responsible for the needs of their grandchildren. Millions of children are living in grandparent-headed households. Using data from both Census 1990 and Census 2000 (SF100% data), the AARP Grandparent Information Center has compiled data about children under 18 years old who live in grandparent-headed households (GPHH), as well as data about the number of grandparents who report that they are responsible for most of the basic needs of grandchildren living with them. We have provided national data and data for every state and the District of Columbia.

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Table 1 Alphabetical Listing of States; Census 2000 Number and Percentage Change from 1990; Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed Households

This table contains:

• total number of children under 18 in each state
  
• number of children under 18 living in grandparent-headed households in each state
  
• percentage of children under 18 living in grandparent-headed households in each state
  
• increase/decrease from Census 1990 to Census 2000 in both number and percentage of children under 18 living in grandparent-headed households in each state

Table 2 States Ranked by Percentage Change from 1990 to 2000; Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed Households

This table:

• lists states in rank order from greatest to least increase in percentage of children under 18 living in grandparent-headed households
  
• total number of children under 18 in each state
  
• number of children under 18 living in grandparent-headed households in each state

Table 3 States Ranked by Percentage of Children Under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed Households

This table contains:

• states listed in rank order from greatest to least percentage of children under 18 living in grandparent-headed households
  
• total number of children under 18 in each state
  
• numbers of children under 18 living in grandparent-headed households in each state

Table 4 States Ranked by Number of Children Under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed Households

This table contains:

• states listed in rank order from largest to smallest number of children under 18 living in GPHH, Census 2000
  
• total number of children under 18 in each state

Table 5 Grandparents Responsible for Grandchildren’s Basic Needs

This table contains:

• states listed in alphabetical order
  
• total number of grandparents who report they are responsible for most of the basic needs of grandchildren living with them

AARP Resources

State Fact Sheets
Programs, data, resources for grandparents in each state and Washington, D.C.

Additional Resources

The U.S. Census Bureau
Additional grandparent/grandchild data.

Children's Defense Fund
Data and facts about children.